Overview
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From Pomona
Pomona’s close-knit student body is diverse in background and academic pursuits yet unified by a spirit of collaboration and commitment to sparking real change in our world. Students come to Pomona from all 50 states and from 65 countries around the world. Our liberal arts education both broad and deep, preparing students for action and intellectual engagement in a fast-changing world. Students leave our campus ready to apply their knowledge in the real world.
Located in Claremont, Calif., a tree-lined residential community of 35,000 near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, students are within 50 miles of all that Southern California has to offer—from academic and cultural centers, theme parks and attractions, to the desert, mountains and beaches. The founding member of The Claremont Colleges, Pomona is one of five undergraduate colleges that make up our unique consortium located within one square mile and only a short walk from one another.
Pomona is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need with a loan-free financial aid award, and practices need-blind admissions for US citizens, permanent residents and undocumented students. Pomona is committed to supporting our students’ drive to excel through personal, professional and financial support.
Events & Resources
Outcomes: An Alumni Panel
At Pomona College, we believe that the proof is in the outcomes. Our graduates carry the same energy and ideals that defined their time at Pomona into the greater world, where their charge to apply them continues to guide their paths in every direction imaginable. We invite you to hear from alumni as they reflect on how a Pomona education prepared them for careers and lives full of innovation, purpose, and impact!
From the Nest: Day in the Life of a Pomona College Student
Ever wondered what life at Pomona is really like beyond the brochures? Join us for an inside look at a typical day on campus: Classes, clubs, dining halls, downtime, and everything in between. Hear directly from a current student about how they balance academics, activities, and social life.
Draw Jam 2025
Our highly anticipated Draw Jam returns to the Benton this fall. This all-day event gives participants the opportunity to make sketches, collages, and wildstyle drawings alongside professional artists. Join us for an incredible day of creativity as the Benton becomes an experimental laboratory for making drawings and prints.
John A. Payton '73 Distinguished Lectureship featuring Kwame Anthony Appiah
The Pomona College Board of Trustees endowed the John A. Payton ’73 Distinguished Lectureship in memory of John Payton's life and influential career, and in honor of David W. Oxtoby, ninth president of Pomona College.
Liberal Arts
Suburb
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Affordability Overview
From Pomona
Pomona College is one of a handful of institutions committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all students who are eligible for need-based financial aid.
A student’s financial need is determined after a careful review of each family’s financial documents. We do our best to take into account each family’s unique circumstances. For eligible students, the Offer of Financial Aid is composed of grant aid and a modest student employment allotment. While loans are available, Pomona does not use loans to meet a student’s financial need.
$94,154
$76,070
$18,084
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$94,154The sticker price at Pomona is $94,154. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Pomona would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Pomona College Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Pomona you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA and CSS Profile use financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the forms even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Pomona is 001173 and the CSS Profile Code is 4607.
The FAFSA is completely free, while the CSS Profile charges a fee for each college you send it to. If you have demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for a CSS Profile fee waiver.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Using State Grants at Pomona
If you reside in California and are considering Pomona, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarshipsPomona College QuestBridge Scholarships
Pomona is a member of QuestBridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Pomona College through QuestBridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about QuestBridge, you can check out our QuestBridge Scholarship guide.
Pomona College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Pomona meets 100% of admitted students’ financial need. Using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, they calculate your need and offer a combination of scholarships and federal loans to cover any costs you and your family cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Pomona
Pomona is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Pomona's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Pell Grants at Pomona College
18% of students at Pomona College receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Pomona. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
How do outside scholarships affect your financial aid package at Pomona?
From Pomona College
If you are on financial aid, our policy is to use the full amount of your outside awards first to replace your student contribution, then your term-time job expectation:
1) Reduce the standard student contribution ($1,900 for Freshmen)
2) Reduce the student work award ($2,800)
3) Reduce the expected parent contribution (amount will vary from student to student)
4) Reduce Pomona College Scholarship
Pomona College Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Pomona, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.pomona.edu/financial-aid
- Email: financial.aid@pomona.edu
- Phone: 909-621-8205
What is the financial aid policy for transfer students at Pomona?
From Pomona College
Pomona is need-blind for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens (such as refugees) and undocumented students who graduate from a high school in the United States. We are also committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted and enrolling students..
Admissions
Admissions Overview
From Pomona
We look forward to learning more about your goals, your ideas and your evolving self through reading your application to Pomona. Our application review process does not rely on cut-offs or formulas. Instead, we consider many factors as we determine your academic readiness and fit for Pomona: your curriculum and grades, evaluations by teachers and counselors, your activities and talents, and your essays. We also look at each applicant in context: what courses are available at your school? What is the college-going culture at your school? What particular challenges or circumstances have supported or hindered your performance? We encourage you to use your application to present yourself authentically by sharing with us what activities mean the most to you, what goals motivate you and what ideas get you excited. While the application asks if you have any relatives who have attended and/or worked for Pomona College, we do not use this information for evaluative purposes or give any preferential treatment to applicants based on this information. As has been the practice for many years, Pomona does not consider legacy or donor-affiliated status in the admissions process.
7%
34
1508
Do I qualify for an application fee waiver at Pomona?
From Pomona College
The easiest way to obtain an application fee waiver is via the Pomona Access Pass: https://admissions.pomona.edu/register/pomona-access-pass.
Coalition Colleges
Pomona is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Pomona via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Pomona have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Pomona College includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Pomona's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Pomona Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Pomona test-optional?
Pomona College is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Pomona?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Pomona College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
What is the application deadline at Pomona?
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Is Pomona College need-blind?
Yes, Pomona College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
What is the transfer acceptance rate at Pomona?
The transfer acceptance rate at Pomona is 8.6%.
What is the transfer application deadline at Pomona?
From Pomona College
February 15
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
7:1
Graduation Rate
94%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
24%
24% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
14%
14% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
8%
8% of graduates
Mathematics
6%
6% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
6%
6% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
4%
4% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Psychology
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,699
Pell Grant 18%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Percent Male / Female 45% / 55%
Ethnic Diversity at Pomona
32% White
17% Asian / Pacific Islander
16% Hispanic
12% International / Non-Citizen
10% Black
8% Multiracial
4% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes Overview
From Pomona
The best evidence of the soundness of Pomona’s educational philosophy is the success of its graduates. Pomona alumni have served in positions of leadership in practically every field of human endeavor – from medicine, public policy, and the arts to scientific research, journalism, business, and the law, as well as almost every field of academic research and teaching. For the class of 2023, we had an 87% knowledge rate. Of that knowledge rate, 91% of those graduates are participating in career activities (a job, internship, service opportunity, further education, fellowship or other). Our students go on to pursue graduate studies in business, law, and medicine within 3-5 years after graduation.
Graduate Income
$77,779
Median Debt $11,782
Debt 10 years after graduation $125
Graduation Rate 94%
What is the graduation rate at Pomona College?
94% of students who start at Pomona College finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 36% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Pomona College go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Pomona College is $77,779. This is $27,388 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Pomona College who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Pomona take out in loans?
Graduates of Pomona take out a median of $11,782 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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Pomona College